Ice tray



Patented Sept.v 10, 1940 1cn'mAY""'" I g 'ClilIordEOainemMiami, M g

Application October as, 193's, semno: 231,452" a 30mm. ('01. ez- -1oa.5)'i

mslmteiianl relates to an icetravioi the type provided with a" removable, grid, and more particula'rly to a grid for, such trays which is easily andquickly reinovableirom the tray' and which is provided with manually actuated mechanical means iorreleasing the ice cubes formed therein.

It-is an importantobject of the. present invention to provide an ice tray-grid which is so constructed as to: permit ,the imechanical. removal not only oi! the grid iromthe-traybut alsoof the ice cubesfrom :the grid by;=:a continuous. applica-.

tion oi powerto-thegrid. Q

Another obiectqot theinvention is to provide an ioeptravgridwhichissoconstructed asto l6 effect the progressive; release of either all .or a

portion of the-icecubescontained therein without first'partially-melting saidcubes. I I

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice tray'grid from-whichthe ice-cubes may be removed selectively in multiples of two, either successively or .as separateflpairsvas desired.

A still further object of :the invention is to provide anice tray grid which may be removed from the tray sby aa-wrenchor lever and from N which the ice'cubes'mayxbe:released,by a rela-' tive movement of :the separate elements of the grid and in which a portion of the grid is used as a iulcrimi for the application, of power by the wrench or lever bothi'to iree'the grid and cubes 80 from the tray and to-release the cubes from the Other objects of this invention will-appear in the" following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying draw- 88 ings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the severalwiews, and in which: I

Fig.1 is a view in perspective of an ice tray and gridconstituting'a preferred embodiment of 40 an important part-of thel-p'resent invention.

Fig. -2 is a plan view, of a portion of the tray and grid shown in Fig.1., i. v

Fig. 3 isa longitudinal section taken substantially on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.,1ookingin the 4; direction of the-arrows. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 .of- Fig. 3,loolring in the direction of the arrows.

' Fig. 5 is. a: view in perspective of the various no parts oi'thegrid shown;-in jseparatedrelation ship, I, V

"Fig; 6 is aviewlinpe spectiveof an operating memberor leverconstituting. an important part of: the present invention, a portion of thellever I; being cutaway;

section of one end of the tray' and 'grid shown Fig. l. showing the position f the'pl r ating:member in folded conditionjbefore the application Qf power to free the grid and frozen; ice ease mm the tray. 5, Fig. 81s, a sectional viewfsimillarto FigJ'I-but showing. the position; taken by f, the operating memberi after power has? applied to loosen the vgrid froni the .tray an to releasethe first two ice cubest 'and alsofshoiwing in dotted lines 10, the positiontalren bythe operatingmember when applied tojseparately' loosen onebf the cross partitions and associatedfjpair oi! ice'cubes. j

Fig.'9'is"a longitudinal sectional view of the trayand gridshowing; the position of the van- 1 ous parts of thejgrid and the operating member when utilized infiexteridedfcondition, prior to the ap'plicationof powerftdloosenfthe grid or remove the ice cubes 7 I ;Fig. lOfis ag longit'udinal sectio nalview oi' the 20 forward or operating end of'the tray and grid as shown in Fig.19, showin'gthe position taken'by the grid and 'op rating; member after the application of power'tojremov'eithe grid. I i Flggllfl-is aisectionl viewfsimilar to Fig. 10 showing the positio'ntake'nfby the grid and operating membenafter applying pow'er to remove the ice cubes; 1

- a I I Fig. 12 is view in perspectiveof an ice cube after its removal from the-tray. 7 I so Before explaining infd'etailj the present invention itjis to beunderstoofthat the invention is not limited in its application to the'details of construction and arrangement oi? parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings; since theinvention'is capable of oth'erembodiments' and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood-thatthe-phraseologyor terminology employed he'rein is for the'purpose of de'scription-andnot of limita'tion, and it is 40 not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of--.-the prior'art.

v In the embodiment of the; invention shown in the drawings; l0 represents an ice'tray of the usual size and' 'shapeyand ii represents the grid member, fwhichis constructed to provide a plurality oi compartments for formingice into cubes orany other desired shapewithin the tray ID.- The grid l l comprises a longitudinal partition i2 and a plurality of transverse partitions 13. As- 5 sociated with the partitions ;i2 a'ndi3 in a'manner to prevent theseparation of the various parts I is a. slidable barilwhichexter'ids longitudinally and centrally along theupperpo'rtion o! the assembled grid.'* Each ;transverse partition I3 is provided with a'vertical slot ll extending from its central to its lower edge portion and a vertically extending lug Win its upper portion, while the longitudinal partition I2 is cut out at spaced points along its upper edge to provide a series of wide slots or cut-out areas I! extending from the upper edge of the partition approximately to its mid-point. These cut-out portions are of such shape as to provide a vertical surface rearwardly thereof and a steeply. sloping surface forwardly thereof, which permits the transverse partitions positioned therein to be moved from their normal vertical position to a more or less sharp forwardly tilting position. The longitudinal partition I2 is also provided with horizontally and longitudinally extending slots ll which define. lugs l3 thereon and provide a guideway for the bar or plate H.

During the assembling of the grid the slide bar H, which is provided with suitably shaped slots 20 and 20a, is applied over the lugs l8 and I9, as well as the projection 2! on the partition l2, the function of which will subsequently be described. The ends of the lugs I! are then slightly bent to either side in order to retain the bar ll and the various partitions ll and"l2"in' assembled relationship. The lugs [6,,with the exception of the lug immediately rearward of, projection 2|, may be omitted, if desired, as they are not essential to the operation of thetray. They render the grid somewhat more compact and unitary,'however, and also make it possibleto return the cross partitions 'to their initial position with 'a single rearward push on the slidebar ll.

The projection 2| is provided with a forwardly extending nose'22, the forward and lower edges of which constitute a fulcrum'for the removable operating member or lever 23. Although various forms of levers may be utilized in operating the grid of the present invention, a two-part folding lever of the type shown in Figs, '6 to 11' has been found most satisfactory for the stated purpose.

This lever comprises a handle member 24 and a I dragging or gripping member 25, each of which is provided at one end with a pair of prongs 28 and 2! respectively, adapted to be pivotally connected to each other. The prongs 23 are Joined at a point spaced from their pivotal connection with the prongs 21 bymeans of a cam 23 which is adapted to contact the nose 22 on projection 2|, and being offset from the pivotal connection of the handle member 24 causes a constantly increasing forward movement of the gripping member 25 as the handle is raised'jor rotated about the prongs 21. To facilitate the application of the lever 23 to the grid, the prongs 26 are each provided with notched ends 23.

In operation, the operating member 23 may be folded as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which case the action of the cam." ,on nose 22 causes, in addition to the loosening of the entire grid from the tray, which maybe held on anysuitable supporting surface, a release of the pair of cubes situated adjacent the point of power application in the tray. This selective release of this pair of ice cubes is obtained as a result of theslight forward movement of the slidebar llv which is produced by pressure of the notched ends 29 of the prongs 26 against the shoulders 30 on the end of the slide bar (see'Fig'. 5.), 3| of the first slot 20 on bar M. is the only one which fits snugly about the lug 16 on its associated cross partition, it is apparent that the only cross partition which is affected by movementof the bar H is the mostforwardly situated one,

As -the widened portion and therefore, when using the wrench in the manner described above, the first pair of ice cubes are the only ones released during or immediately following the initial loosening of the grid from the tray. 3

Assuming that it is only desired to remove two cubes of ice, the tray and grid are returned to the refrigerator, and at a subsequent time the wrench may be applied in the manner shown in dotted lines in Fig.8 to remove another or other pairs of ice cubes,-as desired. Inthis case also the wrench is applied in its folded condition, the prongs 26 and 21 being pressed down against the lug it while the cam 28 is pressed upwardly against the forward edge of the adjacent lug l9.

lever 23 is appliedove'r-the various lugs Hi and l9 and the projection 2| inthe manner-shown in Figs. 9 to 11, and the handle 24'is' moved'upwardly until the cam 23 strikes the lower edge of the nose 22 as previously described. The tray l0 may be held onany suitable'supporting surface, and when the cam28 first contacts the nose 22 the force applied tends to loosen the grid II. and its contained ice as a unit from the tray, as shown in Fig. 10;- The effect of'further raising of the handle 24 is shown in Figgll. vThus the gripping member25 of the lever 23 is moved farther forward, and during' this movement the downwardly extending projections or teeth 32 formedby the notches 33 contact the upper edges of the crosspartitions l3 adjacent thereto. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the teeth 32 are spaced progressively farther apart in direct proportion to their distance from the forward end of the lever, as this causes them to progressively contact the variouscrosspartitions l3, beginning with the most forwardly situated one, and thus successively loosen or release the pairs of ice cubes situated forwardly thereof. It should be understood, however, that the teeth 32 may be spaced an even distance apart, although such an arrangement is not as desirable in view of the fact that far greater force is required on the handle 24 in order to simultaneously release the entire content of ice cubes in the tray than where the action is a progressive-releasing of successive pairs of ice cubes as above described.

In the operation of the lever. 23 in the above manner, it is seen that the first partition is tilted forward bothby the first pair of teeth 32 on gripping member .25 and by the slide bar I, while the remaining cross partitions are tilted solely by theteeth 32. It is possible to make the widened portions of slots 20 in bar H- progressivelylonger, in which case the bar H could be utilizedto successively remove the ice cubes and the lever could be used in its folded position for all purposes. An arrangement of this nature is, however, the subject matterof a co-pending application of mine.

When using the lever 23 in its extended position, it is sometimes necessary tohold the rearward end of the gripping portion 25 to prevent it; from springingupwa'rdly as a result of .the downward-force applied at 'itsjpivoted' end. Any suitable means may be provided to accomplish this, such as a slotted lug on the rear end of the grid. Thus a means of one longitudinal partition. In the case of 'the'lever I shown in the drawings, however, this is": done ""gressively relative to said longitudinal thereby to' successively releasethe ice adhering" to said transverse partitions. 3. In combination with an ice tray, a grid manually. j i I A grid of the type described above'is readily removable from the tray by means of a simple I mechanical lifting action of the lever, and this action may be continued to cause the removal of all or a portion of the ice cubes formed in the two-fold effect is obtained by continuous application of power. Further, it is'possible to remove any number'of ice cubes inmultiples. of two either at one time or at different times during the use of the tray} and the removal of the c b es is greatly facilitated by the progressive movement of the transverse the grid, since the power applied be directed to a single .pair of cubes at a time with the result that less resist ance is oifered to the removal of the cubes. The grid described herein is also so arranged that the forces applied for releasing the cubes are directed against the central slide bar and are not applied to the walls of the tray or to the ice, as has usually been the casein prior construetions of this nature. a

To further facilitate the loosening of the grid and the removal of the ice cubes, particularly the first pair removed, the tray- It! may be provided with a sloping forwardwall 34, although it should be understood that the effective operation of the grid is not dependent on a tray of this nature and trays of ordinary shape or construction may readily be used.

It should be observed that this invention is not restricted to a progressive flow of power through the grid or a progressive movement of the cross partitions. Thus the invention described herein may be readily modified in the manner previously suggested to provide an embodiment thereof which is capable of readily dispensing the entire contents of the tray at one and the same time with a single application of power by actuation of the wrench.

In the description herein and in the appended claims reference has been repeatedly made to a forward or rearward position or movement of the various parts of the tray. By "forward is I meant that portion of the tray or grid which is provided with the fulprum or nose against which force is applied to remove the grid from the tray or release the ice cubes from the grid. The rearward portion of the grid or tray is the opposite end.

I claim:

1. In combination with comprising a longitudinal partition and a plurality of movable transverse partitions; and a removable operating member comprising a handle member adapted to contact said longitudinal partition and a shifting member pivoted thereto and slotted at longitudinally spaced points to position said operating member longitudinally of said grid and provided at longitudinally spaced points with projections adapted to contact said transverse partitions, whereby upon moving said operating member said transverse partitions are partitions of need merely an ice tray, a grid 'moved relative to said longitudinal partition.

partition and a dragging member pivoted thereto and provided with progressively spaced projections adapted to contact said transverse partilongitudinal partition, 1 nected to said partitions 'to tiltthe transverse partition situated adjacent grid; and a removable operatingmember adapted to move'said slidable having means partitions and a cam surface adapted to contact thereby ber" samtransverse partitions are moved propartition comprising a longitudinal partition, a plurality tiltably'm'ounted on said and a slidable bar conand adapted to be moved of transverse partitions the forward end of said transverse partitions to bar and I to contact said tilt the remainder of sa d transverse partitions away from their normal position.

4.111 combination with an ice tray, a grid comprising a longitudinal partition and a plurality of transverse partitions tiltably mounted 1 on said longitudinal partition, and a removable operating member, said longitudinal partition having 'an upwardly and outwardly extending projection at one end and said operating member for contacting said transverse said projection, whereby as said surface is forced against said projection said transverse partitions are tilted from their normal position.

- 5.- In combination with an ice tray, a grid comprising a longitudinal partition having a series of lugs extending from its upper edge and an upwardly and outwardly extending projection at one end, and a plurality of transverse partitions each having a lug extending upwardly from its 3 upper edge adjacent one of .said lugs on said longitudinal partition; and a removable operating member comprising a drag bar and a handle pivoted thereto, said drag adapted to receive the lugs on said partitions and means 'for successively contacting said transverse partitions, and said handle having a cam surface adapted to contact said projection, whereby as said handle is moved upwardly said surface contacts said projection and said drag bar progressively tilts said transverse partitions from their nonnal position.

6. In combination with an ice tray, a grid comprising a longitudinal partition having a series of .lugs extending from its upper edge and an upwardly and outwardly extending projection at one end of said upper edge, and a plurality of transverse partitions each having a lug extending upwardly from its upper edge adjacent one of the lugs on said longitudinal partition; and a removable operating member comprising a drag bar and a handle pivoted thereto, said drag bar having a series of slots adapted to receive a pair of the lugs on said partitions'and having a series of longitudinally spaced .teeth adapted to contact the upper edges of said transverse partitions, and

said handle having a cam surface adapted to contact said projection, whereby as said handle is moved toward said projection said transverse partitions are tilted from their normal position to successively release the ice adhering thereto.

'7. In combination with an ice tray, prising a longitudinal partition lugs extending from its upper edge and an upwardly and forwardly extending projection at its forward end, a plurality of transverse partitions each having a lug extending upwardly from its a grid comupper edge adjacent and at right angles to one of the lugs on said longitudinal partition, and a r slidable bar extending longitudinally along the having a series of.

bar having a series of slots 1 upper surface of said partitions and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots each adapted to receive one of the lugs on said longitudinal partition and the lug on one of said transverse partitions; and a removable operating member comprising a drag bar and a handle pivoted thereto,

said drag bar having a series of longitudinally spaced teeth adapted-to contact the upper edges of said transverse partitions, and said handle having a rearwardly' extending projection adapted to contact the forwardly extending projection on said longitudinal partition, whereby as said handle is moved toward said grid saidrearwardly extending projectioncontacts said forwardly extending projection and said transverse partitions are tilted from their normalposition thereby to successively release the ice adhering thereto.

8. The combination oi an ice tray having a separab'le pan and grid," said grid comprising a longitudinal partition having a raised cam surface on one end thereof, and a plurality of transverse partitions connected with saidlongitudinal partition for tilting movement relative thereto, wtiha removable grid and cube release member comprising a lever adapted to pivot about said raised cam surface on said longitudinal partition as a fulcrum, and a mechanical connector piv- Votally connected to said lever and extending between said lever and said transverse partitions,

whereby pivotal movement of the lever about its fulcrum eflects tilting movement of said trans- 7 verse partitions relative to said longitudinal partition.

CLIFFORD R. CARNEY. 

